Born Betty Louise Michels in Pasadena, CA, she was a true daughter of California. Her parents, George V Michels and Mildred Eyer Michels, homesteaded in 29 Palms where Betty spent much of her childhood. It was not an easy life in the 20s and 30s. Lack of medical care in the desert led her mother to stay with relatives in Altadena for Betty’s birth. When World War II started, the tiny high school in 29 Palms closed as all the young men joined the military. Betty was sent to Riverside to complete her education. During summers, Betty worked on gliders at the 29 Palms Army Air Force Glider Training School as part of the War effort. After High School, she returned to work in Riverside where she met her future husband, Edwin H Christy. A Chief Master Sergeant in the newly formed Air Force, Edwin’s postings took Betty and their growing family across the United States from Southern California, to Rome, NY and Michigan. After another stay in Southern California, they lived in both England and Germany before returning to Central California. As they traveled the world, their family grew to five children.
After Edwin’s retirement, the family moved to Ashland, Oregon where Betty (mother of five and in her 40s) returned to college to earn her teaching credential. She graduated from Southern Oregon College with a Teaching degree in 1968, the same month her daughter, Linda, graduated from high school. Work prompted a move back to California, so Edwin and Betty moved to Manteca in 1969.
Betty taught at Sequoia Elementary School for 20 years, while raising her family. After retirement, she continued to work as a School District Health Education Assistant for a number of years. Betty continued to share her love of books and reading and served as President of Friends of the Manteca Library for many years. Betty was a member of St Paul’s Methodist Church for over 52 years, was active in the United Methodist Women and was an enthusiastic volunteer at the Nearly New shop. With her husband, Edwin, she was a long-time member of Star Craft Campers and the Manteca Camper Club. She enjoyed working in her garden and was a devoted member of the Garden Club of Manteca.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Catherine Lincoln (and her husband, Richard) of Santa Rosa, CA, Linda Christy of Eugene, OR, and her sons, James Christy (and wife Louise) of Sunnyvale, CA, Charles Christy of Santa Clara, CA, as well as grandchildren, David Lincoln, Elizabeth Lincoln, Annie Christy and two great grandchildren, Ella and Zev Lincoln Dumez.
A memorial service in celebration of Betty Christy’s life, will be held at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, at 910 E. North Street on Friday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m..
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Doorkeepers Garden Fund at St Paul’s Methodist Church, 910 E. North Street, Manteca 95336 or to the Friends of the Manteca Library, 320 West Center Street, Manteca 95336.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, June 18, 2021
After Edwin’s retirement, the family moved to Ashland, Oregon where Betty (mother of five and in her 40s) returned to college to earn her teaching credential. She graduated from Southern Oregon College with a Teaching degree in 1968, the same month her daughter, Linda, graduated from high school. Work prompted a move back to California, so Edwin and Betty moved to Manteca in 1969.
Betty taught at Sequoia Elementary School for 20 years, while raising her family. After retirement, she continued to work as a School District Health Education Assistant for a number of years. Betty continued to share her love of books and reading and served as President of Friends of the Manteca Library for many years. Betty was a member of St Paul’s Methodist Church for over 52 years, was active in the United Methodist Women and was an enthusiastic volunteer at the Nearly New shop. With her husband, Edwin, she was a long-time member of Star Craft Campers and the Manteca Camper Club. She enjoyed working in her garden and was a devoted member of the Garden Club of Manteca.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Catherine Lincoln (and her husband, Richard) of Santa Rosa, CA, Linda Christy of Eugene, OR, and her sons, James Christy (and wife Louise) of Sunnyvale, CA, Charles Christy of Santa Clara, CA, as well as grandchildren, David Lincoln, Elizabeth Lincoln, Annie Christy and two great grandchildren, Ella and Zev Lincoln Dumez.
A memorial service in celebration of Betty Christy’s life, will be held at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, at 910 E. North Street on Friday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m..
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Doorkeepers Garden Fund at St Paul’s Methodist Church, 910 E. North Street, Manteca 95336 or to the Friends of the Manteca Library, 320 West Center Street, Manteca 95336.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, June 18, 2021
